Stopping drinking and ttc - day 1

[FlapJackered]

Does anyone want to join?
I am ttc (and struggling) and it seems like a constant battle to reduce alcohol. I only drink on fri, sat and sun but on those days it is way too much and once I have a few I can't stop easily. Unfortunately it is obvious I don't have the will power to cut down, so my target is to do the rest of this cycle without drinking.
I need to be accountable to someone so I am hoping there will be somebody on this thread I can talk to!
DH is a heavy drinker too so does pull me back to it unfortunately!
Anyone else in the same boat and want to set a short term/long term target to aim for?

I've just decided to stop (2nd July) like you I mostly drank 3 days a week (Thurs to Sat).
I just read Allen Carrs book, the easy way to control alcohol so am trying that method. So like you I'm not cutting down just fully stopping. I'm lucky though my OH isn't a big drinker and has said he will help me by not making a thing of his drinking or offering to me.

I'm hoping to be over the physical side of things before I go on holiday in a week.

How are you feeling atm?

Just about to read this too @isthistoonosy - looks good

Thanks for the reply @isthistoonosy. I hadn't heard of Allen Carr's book. I will take a look.
I am feeling ok, but even though I wouldn't normally have a drink in the week I am finding it is all I can think about now!
I think I need to get a non alcoholic alternative in the house to replace it with as I think for me drinking is almost a signal that I can relax, so I think I will find it easier if I can have some Appletiser in a wine glass.
How is it going for you?

Kind of the same, even though I wouldn't be drinking anyway I feel like I'm in withdrawal. But on the plus side this is the last time we will go through this so maybe it is good to be aware of it this time.

I'm not wishing I still drank though, I'm glad to be rid of it.
Does your OH realise drinking is also affecting his fertility, does he care?

It sounds like you have a really good attitude to it.
I have downloaded the book, so I am hoping that will help me feel less like I am missing out.

OH is in denial about how much he drinks, he also thinks that it won't have an effect on his fertility because so many people who drink have babies without a problem. He has a sperm analysis tomorrow though so I am sure if there is a problem with his sperm he will cut down.

Hopefully I can keep it up, I'm stupidly most concerned about what to do with my spare time or getting bored.

I am having to remind myself that boredom / relaxing/having fun/dealing with sadness/ etc can't be dealt with by turning your brain off.

How did the test go today?

Are you still hanging on in there?
I'm so thirsty that I can't drink enough water to quench it, it is driving me bonkers.

He tested so fingers crossed all ok, thanks for asking. We won't find out for a week though.

I am ok at the moment but I know tomorrow is going to be tough and at the weekend. I am going to buy some fizzy water and pretend it is a gin and tonic with some lime in!
I know what you mean about being constantly thirsty atm I am sure I am not drinking enough water in this heat.

How are you feeling about not having alcohol this weekend?

So far I'm feeling OK about no alcohol at the weekend, my OH had his normal Thursday night glass of wine last night (he checked that was OK first), but I really wasn't tempted / interested in joining him.
Tbh I feel like I'm in the midst of a long long over due hangover, bit full of cold, mild headache etc but nothing I'd stay off work with.
On the plus side I'm drinking so much I'm not eating as much snack food as normal.

What stage are you at with your tests? We've got kids now but both had to go through some fertility tests and then I needed hormone tablets to get me ovulating. I massively cut down drinking during the year before I conceived but I never tried to stop as I was more motivated by my need to loose a lot of weight. half of which I now regained

Have you started the book? What do you think so far?

@FlapJackered

How is your weekend going?

Hi @isthistoonosy, sorry for not replying sooner.
Ok but not perfect. My DH got me a hot air balloon flight yesterday for our anniversary and I was given a glass of champagne and I didn't want to refuse it and be rude. Now I feel I shouldn't have accepted it as there are going to be situations like this I am going to have to say no to, on the plus side I didn't drink on Friday or anything else after that glass of champagne on Saturday or even feel like drinking which is progress.
I have just downloaded the book, so going to start it today.

I am having initial hormone tests on my next cycle. I have a thyroid problem too so I doubt it's going to be easy! So I think giving up alcohol is probably a good thing for that.

How are you feeling? Any temptation? How is your cold?

I think you did really well to just have the one glass esp as it is your anniversary. I’m visiting family over the next few weeks which normally involves far too much wine so I’ll also have to practice saying no thanks, even if it seems rude.

My sore throat has passed, I feel a bit groggy but seem to be on the mend. Kids have it too though not so bad, so it’s not all alcohol related, I don’t think. I’ve not been tempted yet, but had some alcohol free beer during the match as OH is Swedish so ‘had’ to watch it together. That said I’m not sure if it’s the cold or the info in the book putting me off wanting a glass of wine atm.

Are you feeling any withdrawal?

Thanks, though I do feel now that I could have said no. Kicking myself a bit.

Family gatherings are really difficult aren't they, it has been my downfall in the past, as all my family a reasonably heavy drinkers and it is a big part of the evening.
Just think, if you can get through the family coming not drinking, I think you will have overcome a big milestone in staying sober.

I am feeling great not drinking actually, funnily enough it is more when I am tired or feeling low I crave a drink so I haven't really wanted one.
I also have been taking a ovulation tests and just had a positive, and for me if I am about to ovulate it would mean my cycle would be more around 35 days (rather than 56 which it was last cycle!)
I can't help wondering if cutting down the alcohol has helped. We shall see. FX'd!

Oh fingers crossed for you! Almost time for the 2ww!
Its bringing back memories of 6 months of negative ovulation tests and the dawning realisation we needed to go to a doctor.

Yh I must keep reminding myself it is just another addiction and I wouldn't do a line of coke just because others were so why drink just because others are. I feel like a new peson today. Exactly 7 days after stopping so now I'm torn on whether it was linked to withdrawal or not. Apparently it takes a month for you brain to start to return to normal volume so now I want to see if that makes me feel even better.

That is very true, it shouldn't be that hard to say 'no, thank you'!

Yes fingers crossed I have ovulated, the last few cycles my body has geared up to ovulate (+opks) and then decided against it! So just keeping my fingers crossed this time. The next few days will tell.

How many kids have you got?

We've 2 kids, DD3 and DS4 took about 2 yrs before we had our first but once we knew what the problem was it was quite easy to sort out, which was lucky.

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you that you ovulate this time. Remember the 'no alcohol' can take a while to have an affect so even if not this time, it may help next cycle.

I'm off on holiday tomorrow so may check in more sporadically the next couple of weeks but aiming to be practising ' no thankyou' a lot during that time!

Have a lovely holiday and good luck with the sobriety!

Thanks, I hope it helps ttc - we have been trying for a while so would be nice to see a bfp!

Don't pick up the first drink! Simples